New ‘Lime Street Gateway’ student homes planned

A car park close to Lime Street Station could be transformed into student accommodation under newly submitted plans.

Unite Students has applied for full planning permission to develop the land bounded by Skelhorne Street, Bolton Street and Hilbre Street into two new blocks, featuring commercial units on the ground floor.

According to a document put forward to Liverpool City Council about the proposed scheme and its management, the new complex will be manned with a 24/7 operation in place, in conjunction with the existing Grand Central student accommodation located opposite.

Unite Students’ management plan for the project adds: “The residence (student accommodation at Skelhorne Street, Liverpool) will be managed by Unite Students, to create a safe, clean well run environment for its occupants, which respects their need for privacy and study.

“The residence and its occupants (the students) acknowledge and respect the rights of adjoining residents and businesses to a quiet life and will work to ensure that these rights are not compromised by their actions.”

The development is known as Lime Street Gateway and will not feature any parking provision for residents.

A transport statement within the application suggests that therefore, if given the go-ahead, the scheme “is likely to result in a lower number of vehicular movements” than the current 70-space surface car park which is in place there.

A roof terrace and other landscaped outdoor areas are included in the plans, with permission for a range of uses being sought for the ground floor commercial space.